Audience#1: Peers not yet able to practice their expertise

As an assistant in a medical research lab, I experience the rewarding opportunity to apply my knowledge of the theory behind ELISAs. My reaserch lab investigates the role of different cytokines in the progression of degenerate diseases, such as liver fibrosis. Once identified, drugs to target these cytokines can be developed and tested. My utilization of ELISAs ranges from the identification of which cytokines are present under disease conditions to whether cells exposed to developed drugs experience adverse effects. Although knowledge of theory remains key, I have learned that only repeated, careful practice of each step yields reliable results.

Audience#2: Educated people not familiar with the tools of biological research

I use an Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) on a weekly basis in my position as an assistant for a medical research lab. ELISAs hinge on the exploitation of antibodies--components of our immune systems--which possess the ability to bind specific targets. With the steps of an ELISA, I can test a mixture of things for one specific molecule, sandwiching that molecule between specially designed antibodies. The color change produced by these antibodies corresponds to the quantity of target molecule present; this allows me to measure, for example, any distress signals secreted by cells exposed to the drug my research lab is trying to develop.